Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Eric O — 22 Oct 2010

At the time of its release, Barry Lyndon received varied critical reception, and its box office takings were nothing to write home about. However, in recent years thanks to praise from directors such as Lars von Trier, Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson, it has been regarded as one of Stanley Kubrick's finest hours.

Based on the novel "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by William Makepeace Thackeray, the movie is an account of an Irish rogue's climb and fall in the high society of the 18th century. Through fighting, lying, cheating and sucking face with foreign wenches he earns himself elevated status and all the privileges the lifestyle brings. However, it isn't long before he finds his life in shreds, weakened by his own hubris.

The film is beautifully shot, with locations ranging from impressive Georgian halls and ostentatious stately homes, to sweeping hills and expansive lakes. Even the battle scenes have an edge of splendour about them. Our first glimpse of conflict is as the British army march slowly on the French opposition; rhythmically bursts of gunfire tear through the flanks of men, knocking them to the ground, leaving them forgotten. Like the deaths, the sequence is efficient and refined but, in equal parts brutal and harrowing. Who could blame Barry for deciding war isn't really "his bag"?

Flimsy whimsy "Oyrish" accent aside, Ryan O'Neal's performance is magnificent. In the first half of the film we gain a certain level of trust, watching Barry rise from owning literally nothing but the clothes on his back (unfortunately due to one of the politest muggings in history), to an upper class socialite leading a life full luxury. However as he allows his newly found lifestyle to be tainted with the vices of opulence, the audience feels cheated and betrayed; but it is perhaps his sheer presence, full of melancholy and sorrow, which allows us to forgive him. In one of the most devastating scenes of the film, Barry loses everything he holds dear; through O'Neal's performance we can feel every last seam tear within Barry's heart, rendering the scene truly heartbreaking. The scoundrel who once enjoyed women, gambling and magic shows receives his redemption in the ugliest possible manner.

A mention must be made of the soundtrack which runs beneath the action of Barry Lyndon. Pieces such as Handel's "Sarabande" are powerful and dramatic, but at the same time tender and emotive. The Chieftains rendition of "Women of Ireland", a gentle yet woeful tune, plays great prominance during Barry's time in his homeland. This means that when we hear it again during his later years, it could be seen to represent his homesickness and yearning to be back in simpler times.

Barry Lyndon is a stunning piece of film-making which has been unfairly overshadowed by Kubrick's more heavy hitting films such as A Clockwork Orange or The Shining. However, it stands as a reminder, if ever we needed one, of just how much of a cinematic mastermind Kubrick was.

Go on, pop it on a post it note right now.